Lensculture: California

Interview with John Chiara, plus 15 unique photographs

Each of the unique prints is a collector’s dream, and a generous new book from Aperture and Pier 24 offers perfect reproductions with stunning production values. In the book, Chiara takes you on a road trip through his beloved California and drives home the “magic in the ordinary” everywhere he looks. The oversize book includes several fold-out spreads to accommodate essential diptychs, and two illuminating essays provide added appreciation for Chiara’s process and creative vision. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year—a book that rewards repeated visits.

According to a recent article in The New York Times: “Virginia Heckert, a curator of photography at the Getty Museum, said photographers like Mr. Chiara were attracted to the idea of discovering the world through photography, rather than ‘just kind of encapsulating it.’ ” That’s a powerful statement that rings true, especially after talking with the artist himself.